Andrea Stewart-Cousins's posts related to Transportation

Senator Stewart-Cousins took part in a hearing of the Investigations and Government Operations Committee in Long Island regarding the "Finance, Policies and Practices of the MTA." Testifying at the hearing was Jay Walder, Chairman and CEO of the MTA; Helena Williams, President of the Long Island Railroad; Kenneth B. Bleiwas, Director of Bureau of Agency Analysis, Office of the Comptroller; John Samuelson, President of the Transport Workers Union Local 100; and Ira Greenberg, Chairman of the Executive Committee Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA. The hearing examined the MTA's costs and revenue streams, and explored ways to maintain service without drastically increasing fares. To see a picture of Senator Stewart-Cousins at the hearing, click here.

(Tarrytown) - Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D/WF/ I – 35th District) praised President Obama for selecting the Tappan Zee Bridge as one of fourteen infrastructure projects nationwide for expedited federal review and approval. She also thanked Governor Cuomo for advocating the need for this project to the Federal Government. Her statement is below.

(Tarrytown) - Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D/WF/ I – 35th District) is calling on Federal and State officials to include mass transit options in plans to rebuild the Tappan Zee Bridge. This comes in the wake of President Obama’s selection of the 3 mile Hudson River crossing as one of fourteen nationwide infrastructure projects to receive expedited federal review and approval. Her statement is below.

"I was honored to serve on the Tappan Zee Bridge Mass Transit Task Force throughout this past year and am proud that all stakeholders were able to come to a consensus and create a quality report. I have been calling for bus rapid transit service to be a component of the new Tappan Zee Bridge and I-287 corridor since the project was fast-tracked in 2011. When fully implemented, the proposals in this report will help satisfy many of the transit needs of my constituents in Westchester and throughout the region. A fully operational BRT system will also maximize the economic impact of the New New York Bridge by creating transit oriented development opportunities in Westchester and Rockland.

"Creating more jobs and helping people get to those jobs are two major priorities being addressed by the New NY Bridge Project and the Mass Transit Task Force. By targeting key employment centers like Yonkers, Tarrytown, White Plains, Valhalla and more, the recommendations will help spur smart economic growth and sustainability for the region and assist residents looking to climb the ladder of success."

Albany, NY - Democratic Conference Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D/I/WF – 35th District) announced today that the 2014-15 NYS Budget included a $40 million increase in CHIPS funding to help local governments pay for road repairs caused by the extreme winter weather. The additional funding increased this year’s CHIPS spending to $438 million Statewide.

The County of Westchester will be receiving $2,817,055.24 in CHIPS funding, an increase of $91,199.37 over the previous year. Municipalities in the 35th Senate District will receive a total of $5.5 million in CHIPS funding an increase of receive $487,000 over last year.

Senate Democratic Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins visited Senator Kennedy in Buffalo on Sunday, April 12th to experience the challenges and opportunities facing Buffalo and Western New York. During her visit, Senator Kennedy highlighted the exciting progress happening throughout the area, especially along the waterfront and at the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus, and detailed the challenges that remain ahead. One of those challenges is ensuring the NFTA receives increased support from the state, so that region’s resurgence is not slowed down by a struggling transit system.

Yonkers, NY - Democratic Conference Leader, Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins, was joined by Empire State Development President and CEO Kenneth Adams, and the President of Kawasaki Rail Car Inc., Hiroki Iwasaki, to announce final approval of a $500,000 state grant to keep the company and 375 employees in Yonkers.